I didn't see this one come through the list - if it did and I missed it please excuse
me for emailing it again.
Hi Joe, Debie and all-
I was taken back by the pictures of this National Cemetery when I received them and wanted
to find out more.
My husband (retired MarineCorps) and I just got off the phone with a gentleman in the
office of the Fort Bliss National Cemetery and just wanted to share what he said.
The cemetery is indeed now a "desert" cemetery. Because of flooding, etc. they
did have many of the gravesites sink, etc. as was shown on the photos from the website. He
assured us that the gravesites have all been repaired, etc.
As for grass - they do not intend on re-grassing it and we were told that at this time
this is a subject very
much being discussed and they are getting other calls. We also asked why the cemetery
grass was removed but yet the remaining parts of Fort Bliss are lush and green? Of couse
we were told that this was a "political decision".
I think it is very disgraceful. Most veterans choose to be buried in a National Cemetery
as an honor - this does not look honorable to me. Can you imagine the look on the
veteran's families faces when they would come to visit the gravesite?? How awful! When
I think of all of the trillion of dollars we are spending on killing others overseas and
see how these gravesites are being cared for ..................... What happens when it
rains - is it a big a sloppy mess where a person wanting to visit couldn't even
visit?
We were also told this decision was made because of the flooding etc. that was happening
down there - well I would be curious to know how well sand holds up to flooding compared
to rooted plants, grass and dirt.
The name of the Director of the Fort Bliss Cemtery is Cindy VanBibber, if anyone wants to
know that - we did not speak with her yet.
Any way, my own thoughts are I am going to email this information and the website to
everyone I know that might be interested and I am also going to email or write my
representataives as well those in DC that have any kind of connection to the decisions
with the National Cemeteries.
This is the link Debie had in her email
http://www.cem.va.gov/CEM/cems/nchp/ftbliss.asp
Fort Bliss National Cemetery website
http://www.cem.va.gov/CEM/cems/nchp/ftbliss.asp
Veterans Administration
http://www.va.gov/
Office of Veterans Affairs
http://ova.dc.gov/ova/site/default.asp
Sorry to take your time and I'll get down from the soapbox.
Paula
Waupaca CC -
http://www.wigenweb.org/waupaca
Waushara CC -
http://www.wigenweb.org/waushara/index.htm
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